Internet Security

Hi, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Jesse, and I'm a member of the Netlyphe team. My interests are varied and include video games, computer hardware, security, and digital music, so you'll likely find my posts involve those subjects. Today, for example, I'd like to talk a little about the internet and how to keep yourself secure while using this great resource.

There are plenty of great resources on the web for those wondering how to best protect themselves online, but I still get many questions from customers, family, and friends about internet security. The first step is getting your computer secure, get a good anti virus program and make sure you keep it updated. One very good one is AVG, available at free.grisoft.com. Its free and provides basic protection suitable for average computer users. The next step is a firewall, which basically acts like a filter between you and the internet. Windows has a firewall built in, so most people are already protected. Check to see if yours is enabled by going to Control Panel and clicking on 'Security Center'. Finally, there are updates to be had, no matter which operating system you use. Windows users should make sure that automatic updates are turned on by checking in the Windows Security Center as well.

The thing most users don't realize though, is protecting your computer is the easy part. The hard part is training yourself to browse the internet safely. If you have an alarm system in your house, it protects against intruders. But, if an intruder comes knocking at your door and you choose to let him in, that alarm system doesn't matter very much. Clicking on a pop-up advertisement or opening an email attachment from an unkown sender is very much like letting a thief into your home, and your anti virus software won't necessarily protect you in that scenario because you're allowing something to happen on your system by clicking. A good rule to go by when you get a pop-up is to click the X in the upper right hand corner to close it. Never click OK or Yes on a pop-up. Also, when you get an email attachment that you do need to open, save it to your desktop and scan it with your anti virus software before opening it (usually you can do this by right-clicking on the file and clicking scan now, or scan for viruses, or something similar). Also be wary of gambling, and other shady looking sites. If in doubt, do an internet search before visiting an unknown website to see if anyone knows if it's legit or not.

Lastly, be careful with your personal data when online. Emails asking for account data or credit card numbers are usually trying to steal your identity. Generally, just use the same discretion you would in the real world with your financial information.

These tips will get you well on your way to a safe and enjoyable internet experience.

Jesse,
stapleton87 (at) gmail.com